USDA enjoys favors from junta

Irrawaddy – Violet Cho : Members of the Union Solidarity and Development Association’s (USDA) may apply for cellular phone licenses as government officials, according to sources.The Myanmar Posts and Telecommunication (MPT) plans to issue 70,000 GMS telephone licenses in Burma.

Karen state civilians appeals to international community to save them from Burmese army before being decimated

Asian Tribune : Karen civilians facing continuing attacks from the Burma Army are urgently appealing to the world for assistance, telling the Free Burma Rangers (FBR) that “If the Burma Army is not stopped, or we do not get help, when you come to Karen State in the future, there will no longer be Karen people. Please tell the rest of the world to help us.”

New rumors of ill health in Burma’s top family

Irrawaddy – Min Lwin : Reports that relatives of Snr-Gen Than Shwe and his wife have been taken to the regime’s remote capital of Naypyidaw have fueled rumors of serious health problems within the family of Burma’s top general.

Activists call for release of jailed rebels in India

DVB – Thet Naing : Burmese democracy activists living in exile in India staged a demonstration in Kolkata on Monday to call for the release of 34 Burmese rebels who have been detained since 1998.

Irrawaddy’s New Website Design “Gives More Information, Easier Navigation”

redorbit.com : Text of report in English by Thailand-based Burmese publication Irrawaddy website on 5 February.You’ve probably noticed The Irrawaddy’s new Web site design. It’s now easier than ever to locate the latest news, information and opinion, in addition to an expanded multi-media section with more photographs and video stories.